Working in Canada – Filipino Portalhttps://pinoy-canada.com
One-Stop-Shop for For Filipinos Living in CanadaWed, 20 Jun 2018 21:35:59 +0000en-US
hourly
1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2Finding Work as an Immigrant in Canada: Final Tips!https://pinoy-canada.com/finding-work-immigrant-canada-final-tips/
https://pinoy-canada.com/finding-work-immigrant-canada-final-tips/#respondMon, 19 Feb 2018 06:47:21 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16736*This post originally appeared in https://tropicstorockies.com/ We were supposed to have only two posts about finding work as an immigrant in Canada (check them out here and here). However, there were just some things that we wanted to touch on more since it’s an aspect of finding work as an immigrant in Canada that many people …

We were supposed to have only two posts about finding work as an immigrant in Canada (check them out here and here). However, there were just some things that we wanted to touch on more since it’s an aspect of finding work as an immigrant in Canada that many people might be unconsciously not focusing on.

Typically, most people who are finding work as an immigrant in Canada would want to land a job at a big and established company. I mean, who wouldn’t right? Bigger and established companies do offer better wages, benefits and stability. As someone who uprooted their entire life to move to another country, stability is something that would be greatly appreciated.

However, bigger companies will also tend to attract more competition, not only from your fellow immigrants but also from local Canadians.

Also, remember the dreaded “Canadian work experience” when it comes to working? These bigger companies would almost always look for that when evaluating a candidate, so new immigrants will really have the odds stacked against them.

It might then be a good idea for new immigrants to target small-medium sized businesses instead. These businesses might not offer as high a salary or as many benefits as the big companies and corporations, but it should (hopefully) be easier to land a job with them. Below are a few reasons why you should make it a point to target small to medium-sized businesses when finding work as an immigrant in Canada. (remember that the reasons below should not be taken as facts, but are our personal opinions and observations):

Smaller Pool

First of all, there should be fewer people applying for the jobs at smaller businesses. Since smaller businesses have limited resources available, they are unable to do a wide and expansive job search. They won’t spend for sponsored / features ads and their postings might be up for a shorter amount of time. They won’t have a human resources department in-charge of looking for employees, so naturally, fewer people will know about the opportunity.

Straight to the Point

Here’s how a big company typically hires someone:

Post job online

Receive tons of applications

Use software to sift through resumes and choose which ones to contact based on cover letter and resume content

Recruiting firm will contact applicant and do an over the phone assessment OR email sent out to invite you to take an online test

Get called in for interview #1 (HR associate)

Get called in for interview #2 (Manager)

Get called in for interview #3 (Senior Manager)

Job offer

Sometimes this is how the job search feels like…

In smaller companies?

Post job online

Receive applications

Manager or Owner will read cover letter and resumes

Get called in for interview

Job offer

Now isn’t that a lot easier? And for me, the most important part of all this is the fact that if you get called into an interview, you’re probably already being interviewed by the manager or even the owner of the company. Doing a phone assessment, online test or an initial interview just adds more layers of complications to the process and at the end of the day, it’s your potential boss and the owner of the company you need to impress anyway, not anybody else.

Someone Who Understands

Entrepreneurs are interesting people. They’re risk takers and they have probably struggled a lot when starting their business. As an immigrant, one can say that we embody those same attributes and experiences and I find that our stories can resonate with people like them. More importantly, if the manager or owner of the small business is an immigrant as well, then there is a higher chance that they will not put a big premium on “Canadian work experience” since they have probably been in your shoes and know that it is not that big of a barrier to becoming a successful employee.

Among the two of us, we were able to land four in-person interviews. All four were for small companies and three out of the four were owned by immigrants who hired us even if we didn’t have Canadian work experience.

Of course, if you can go land a job at a big company, that’s awesome! Go ahead! We just thought of writing this post to maybe help people that are struggling to find employment here in Canada. Instead of accepting a survival job, maybe taking time to focus on small companies might just give you the break you need to work in your preferred field.

That’s it for now, we hope everyone is having a great 2018 so far and for those who are in Canada, enjoy the Family Day Holiday tomorrow! (Although it was last week for us here in BC Haha.)

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/finding-work-immigrant-canada-final-tips/feed/0Finding Work as an Immigrant in Canada: The Job Hunthttps://pinoy-canada.com/finding-work-immigrant-canada-job-hunt/
https://pinoy-canada.com/finding-work-immigrant-canada-job-hunt/#respondMon, 12 Feb 2018 23:00:36 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16728*This post originally appeared in https://tropicstorockies.com/ Hello! We know that this post is a few months overdue and we apologize for that. It’s just that things have gotten really really busy and fast-paced the last few months and it was hard to find time to sit down and write. However, after finishing up some morning chores …

Hello! We know that this post is a few months overdue and we apologize for that. It’s just that things have gotten really really busy and fast-paced the last few months and it was hard to find time to sit down and write.

However, after finishing up some morning chores on this Saturday morning, we find ourselves with a bit of time to spare to hopefully finish this post for everyone.

In our last post, we gave you guys an introduction to finding work as an immigrant in Canada. Basically, we took a leap of faith and moved from PEI to British Columbia for work and in this post, we’ll talk more in detail about how we were able to successfully land jobs here in Canada.

Below are five important things that you should keep in mind when finding work as an immigrant in Canada.

Resume

If you do a quick search on the internet, you will probably find too many resume formats out there for Canada. It was honestly a bit overwhelming, so we just trusted the resume format provided to us by the good folks over at the Multicultural Helping House in their orientation session during the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS).

When writing your resume, the most important thing you should do is to make sure that you are tailoring it for the position you are applying for. As much as possible, use the exact same words that the job posting used. This is because there are some companies that use software to go through resumes and the software will pick up keywords that will probably already be on the job posting. Don’t just write one resume and use the same one for every job application. Take the time to make each resume unique to every job you are applying to. It will be better to send one good application every 10 minutes than three generic ones.

The main difference I’ve seen between Canadian and Philippine resumes is that the Canadian job market tries to make it a point that things like gender, age, ethnicity, and appearance do not factor in one’s application. Remember. You are not supposed to put those details on your resume and an employer is also not supposed to ask you these questions during the interview (more on interviews in a future post). Of course, it doesn’t mean that hiring discrimination doesn’t happen here… like anywhere in the world, it does happen. But, your skills and experiences will be more of the focus here and that your personal details should not influence a hiring decision.

Cover Letter

We could’ve lumped cover letter and resume together, but it is our belief that the cover letter actually plays a bigger role than the resume… especially when finding work as an immigrant in Canada. Again, we used the format that Multicultural Helping House sent after the PDOS, but like what we mentioned in the resume section, please remember that it is very, very important to make the cover letter your own. Relate it to the job and don’t be afraid to talk about what experiences you’ve had in your professional and personal life that make you a good candidate. Remember, the goal of sending out a cover letter and resume is to get the interview, not the job. Chances are, all the resumes will probably look alike and might even have the same qualifications and it will be up to your cover letter to win the heart of the hiring manager/employer.

Just think about it like one of those menus in fancy restaurants. Your resume is the name of the food, while your cover letter is the description of that food.

Okay, so I miss eating at Chili’s in Manila.

The name of the dish will catch your interest, but it’s the description of that dish that will convince you to order it.

Friends and Family

If you’re lucky enough to have family and/or friends with you in Canada, then don’t be afraid to ask. We understand that sometimes we want to show people that we are doing alright by ourselves, but in this case, asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. Chances are, these people were once immigrants too and that they do know how difficult finding work as an immigrant in Canada is. Just ask, you’ll never know. For us, N was able to land an interview through a family connection.

Apply, apply, apply

You will probably have quite the amount of time in your hands while looking for a job. So, if you stumble upon a job that you think you can do. Apply. If you see a job that you think you might be able to do. Apply. If there’s a job that you think you can do with a little bit of training. Apply. As long as you think that there’s even a small chance of you getting the job, apply. Apply. Apply.

At this point, there’s nothing to lose, right? Just make sure that you’re sending out quality resumes and cover letters.

Think Out of the Box

Now this one’s tricky. Basically, what we want to say here is to not just look at your professional and technical experiences and knowledge when looking for a job. Your personal skills and interests might also help you in the job hunt. Remember, Canada is very different from the Philippines and there are industries and opportunities here that do not exist in the Philippines (and vice-versa of course). A perfect example to use here in the context of the city of Vancouver would be the gaming (video, not casino) and the beer industry. These two industries are thriving in the city and you will find many small to medium-sized companies in that field. You could be an accountant with a passion for video games or beer, so use that to create a really good cover letter and with a technically sound resume, then you might just be what the company is looking for. This is exactly how V was able to get an interview and eventually a job offer.

Personal Submission

In this day and age of the internet, there may still be merit in personal appearances and submission of resumes. We’ve also noticed that some establishments here in Canada don’t post their openings online. Instead, they just have signs outside their shops showing job openings or just inviting people to apply. If you’re really targeting a specific company or job, then there’s nothing wrong with giving your application that personal touch and delivering it yourself.

The tips above might not be comprehensive, but there’s really a lot of material already online about this topic and we really didn’t want to just repeat what has already been said. If you’ve noticed, we didn’t really talk about one of the more…. (for lack of a better term) controversial topics when it comes to finding work as an immigrant in Canada… “Canadian Work Experience”. We’ve decided to create a separate post on this and it will be our next one (hopefully it won’t be two months again before that post shows up)

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/finding-work-immigrant-canada-job-hunt/feed/0LOOK: I want to be a Nurse. What will my salary be? – As of 2017https://pinoy-canada.com/up-working-canada-want-nurse-will-salary-2017/
https://pinoy-canada.com/up-working-canada-want-nurse-will-salary-2017/#respondFri, 19 Jan 2018 23:07:56 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16586Nursing is one of the most challenging careers out there. However, it is also one of the most rewarding ones—emotionally and financially. A nurse’s salary depends on a few factors: location, years of experience, and nursing specialty. As of 2017, the annual salary of a nurse in Canada—more specifically: registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and psychiatric …

]]>Nursing is one of the most challenging careers out there. However, it is also one of the most rewarding ones—emotionally and financially. A nurse’s salary depends on a few factors: location, years of experience, and nursing specialty.

As of 2017, the annual salary of a nurse in Canada—more specifically: registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and psychiatric nurses—ranges from $46,000 to $160,000. This is based on a standard 40-hour week which translates to $22.00 and $80 an hour, respectively. Reportedly, the median wage for nurses in Canada is $36 an hour in 2017. The head nurse/supervisor level nurse would be receiving the highest pay.

Top five nurse practitioner specialties in terms of the number of jobs were family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, mental health and emergency room. The highest-paying specialty would be the emergency room. The other specialties are neonatal units, retail clinics, gerontology and mental health.

Things to consider:

Pay varies by location as each province would have different ranges. In 2017, registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses in Nunavut were reported to receive higher median wages than any other provinces or territories in the country.

The salary also depends on whether they work in hospitals, private or public clinics, psychiatric facilities, schools, or elsewhere. Receiving master’s degrees and specializing in certain areas of healthcare can significantly influence a Nurse’s salary.

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions reports that 80% of nurses in Canada belong to unions, which lobby government on behalf of their members to improve pay and working conditions. As a result, nurses have some of the best rates of salary growth in the country. For example, Ontario nurses can expect to start with a salary above $50,000, exceed $60,000 by their 4th or 5th years, and exceed $70,000 by their 7th or 8th year.

One reason why nurses are well-paid is that there’s a shortage of them. Many nurses take on much more overtime than people in other professions. So even though the number of hospital nurses making more than $100,000 in 2011 was eight times higher than it was in 2006, these bigger salaries are usually a result of an extraordinary amount of extra work.

General wages

Location

Wage ($/hr)

Canada

$22 – $45.64

Alberta

$25 – $49.31

British Columbia

$23 – $43.00

Manitoba

$25 – $45.00

New Brunswick

$24.05 – $40.25

Newfoundland and Labrador

$23.48 – $30.00

Nova Scotia

$19 – $40.05

Ontario

$22 – $45.00

Prince Edward Island

$22.10 – $40.25

Quebec

$20 – $40.05

Saskatchewan

$28 – $48

CALLING ALL NURSES!!
There are hundreds of hard-working experienced nurses from other countries who come from various backgrounds and cultures. These nurses should try their luck in applying to work in Canada. With hard work and determination, they can find success in Canada.

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/up-working-canada-want-nurse-will-salary-2017/feed/05 Tips to Get a Job in Canadahttps://pinoy-canada.com/5-tips-get-job-canada2/
https://pinoy-canada.com/5-tips-get-job-canada2/#respondFri, 12 Jan 2018 01:28:08 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16549This is one dilemma of the newcomers once landed in Canada. Looking for a “good job” is tiring for some but easy for some. You might wonder why someone has a job instantly. But you know what; it is possible to have a decent job even without Canadian Experiences yet. Of course, it still depends …

]]>This is one dilemma of the newcomers once landed in Canada. Looking for a “good job” is tiring for some but easy for some. You might wonder why someone has a job instantly. But you know what; it is possible to have a decent job even without Canadian Experiences yet. Of course, it still depends on your skills, educational background, and work experiences. Here are some tips or scenarios in the job market that you might like to know or consider here in Canada:

Number 1. You must know How to Market Yourself.

Assuming you have the skills and work experiences back home and you want to continue it here in Canada, in order to land to your dream job you must learn how to advertise yourself. Factors like:

Skills – Do you have the skills for the job position? Or are you willing to be trained and learn something new but can be passionate about that new thing? Emphasize it in your Cover Letter or Resume.

Educational Background – Are you eligible for the educational attainment needed? Sometimes, most immigrants are overqualified for the job position, are you willing to talk less about your accomplishments on your resume? Tailor fit your resume accordingly.

Work experiences – It does not always have to be Canadian work experiences but most importantly your Skills and Expertise are well related to the job position you are applying for. Cue Words – “well-related skills.”

Network – Build and expand your network. Referral and Recommendation are one key to finding a vacant job position.

Number 2: Sometimes, it depends on the job hunting situation in your City/Town.

If you landed in a City or Town on where there is a scarcity of workers, that’s a high chance of finding a job. The competition is less, you don’t need referrals, they just need your skills or they can even build your skills.

Sample Scenario: There is a town in British Columbia on where the business owners are appealing to the Federal Government for them to hire Foreign Workers since they couldn’t find locals who will work for them because according to them everyone is already working.

On the other hand, if you are in a City on where the job hunting competitions are high, that will be a tremendous hard work on your part on how to market yourself. But there is always a “survival job” in Canada if you need to earn while waiting and preparing for your big break. And that’s a good thing right? There is always a backup here in Canada.

Number 3: A referral or recommendation from someone is needed most of the time.

Here in Canada, not all jobs are posted in the job bank, especially in the private companies. Sometimes there are positions that they are waiting for someone to vouch for them. Assuming you have all the skills and work experiences needed for that position, if you also have a recommendation there, it is a high probability of getting an interview. But of course, you still need to be superb for that interview part.

Sample Scenario: There is a new landed immigrant with Information Technology background and his relative which happens to be his sponsor heard that his friend’s company is looking for someone who can do the IT job position. The newcomer prepared his resume; submit it to his sponsor’s friend and then his sponsor’s friend submitted it to his boss. Upon reviewing his resume which seems his skills and work experiences (not Canadian) fits the position they call him for a job interview. The newcomer, of course, does lots of preparation for the Interview to ace it. After the proper process, he got the job.

Another scenario: She’s been in Canada for a year and still looking for that Career. She was aiming for this Call Center Company and then she found a friend who is working inside. She asks if she can refer her to any job vacancies’ in the company. Then her friend told her they could try since she knows they are always hiring a call center agent. So she submitted her resume online and put her friend’s name as the referral. The boss notices the resume and verifies the friend if she really knows the person. She vouches for her but the boss said: “Unfortunately we don’t hire today but we will keep this on file in the future”. Sad scenario but still the resume was noticed because of the referral but apparently for some reasons she didn’t get the interview, it happens, so move on.

Number 4. Canadian Government is always hiring.

There are plenty of job positions in the government that you do not have to be a Canadian Citizen to apply. As long as you are legal to work here in Canada, you can try applying to the government. Some positions do not require work experiences too. But the first step is to submit your resume to the job posting you like in the government. IF they “acknowledge” your resume based on your skills and background, you will get the next steps which are very challenging for some.

Here are some typical government hiring steps:

Submit Resume on their Job Postings

If they acknowledge your resume they will schedule you for Written Exams.

If you pass the written exam there will be more evaluation exams, like in the bus operator position they have the Road or driving skill Test.

If you pass the Screening Exams they will schedule you for a Panel Interview.

If you pass the Interview they will schedule you for Medical Exams.

If you pass the Medical Exams, they will call your References to know that you really are a good person.

Then you are hired! BUT you will undergo pieces of training, you will be like a student, studying the updates, trends, norms, and technology for the position. You will be screened thru exams if you are prepared and ready to be in the labor force. But there will always be an evaluation, just do your best.

Whew! That’s a lot! But no matter how hard it is, try not to quit, you are already there. Perks of being in the government are: the pay is good, job security and great benefits.

Number 5. Most Companies need your Flexible Schedule.

When randomly applying online, there will always be a question to put your schedule availability. The higher probability to notice your application is when you declare that you are available every day at any time. It will only matter in the Interview if you can commit. But the important thing is to get that Interview and ace it to get the job.

Canada is a land of opportunities. It is bestowed with economic prosperity and educational institutions that produce highly skilled professionals. The quality of life-based on excellent health care, clean air, and fresh water are all synchronized for a safe and secure environment. You might feel and think that looking for a job is harder than you thought, but compared to other countries (like the Philippines), it is guaranteed that all the hard works here really pays off.

Feel free to add more tips if you like. Sharing is a good thing to help one another, just leave it in the comment section on our FB page. Thanks!

If you have questions, we got answers! Join theFacebook groupto get access to the lively discussions about everything you need to know as you migrate/settle in Canada. Everyone’s welcome to join!

Disclaimer: Article and scenarios are based on the author’s first-hand experiences and observations.

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/5-tips-get-job-canada2/feed/0Editor’s Pick: 5 Most Stable Jobs in Canadahttps://pinoy-canada.com/editors-pick-5-stable-jobs-canada/
https://pinoy-canada.com/editors-pick-5-stable-jobs-canada/#respondTue, 02 Jan 2018 00:23:06 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16493Most Pinoys move to Canada for a better life. First thing they do as they settle in is to look for a job. When in a new environment, especially with a different culture, one would look for any job. That is why there are the survival jobs. These survival jobs are only good during your …

]]>Most Pinoys move to Canada for a better life. First thing they do as they settle in is to look for a job. When in a new environment, especially with a different culture, one would look for any job. That is why there are the survival jobs. These survival jobs are only good during your transition period. After several months, maybe a year or two, one would be considering to get a secure job that is full-time and good paying.

In Canada, like in other countries, job security varies at a relatively rapid pace. Corporations having the option to outsource certain types of jobs, employees in any sector of the economy feel threatened. With most people looking for stable jobs where they feel secured and that pay well, further studies and training are being considered more and more today. Let us look at the most stable jobs in the country today.

1. Teachers/Educators

This is the most stable job in Canada. Moreover, being a teacher is one of the most respected and rewarding occupations. Part of the benefits of being a teacher are job security, extended periods of holidays like summer breaks, attractive salary and pension.

2. Accountants

This job is perceived as hectic and daunting more than it really is. It may be so but it is one of the stable occupations, not just in Canada but in the world. Every company, no matter the size, needs accountants so there is a great opportunity for you if you have an accounting background. Canadian employers actually prefer people with an advanced accounting degree and extensive experience.

3. Government Employees

Being in the public service is one of the most stable, secure, and fulfilling occupations. Most Canadians aim to get Government office positions because aside from getting satisfaction for serving the public, they get to enjoy amazing benefits. There are more than 450,000 people work in the Canadian public service.

4. Electricians or Plumbers

Trade jobs, such as electricians and plumbers, are highly in demand in Canada. In order to become one, it will take you some years of apprenticeship but after that, you will start reaping the benefits. This occupation is very stable and the benefits are excellent, including attractive salary.

5. Nurses

With the continuous expansion of the Canadian heathcare system, both male and female nurses are highly in demand in Canada. Nursing is a noble and very gratifying occupation as helping patients provides satisfaction to the nurses. If you are a registered nurse, licensed nurse, or registered practical nurse, you are in luck because Canada embraces people having a nursing background.

The jobs on this list mostly require further studies or additional experience which means a lot of work and time are needed. Therefore, if you are considering any of these jobs, you are recommended to decide early on so you can take the proper requirements and acquire the degree or certificates needed without delays.

However, there are other stable jobs out there. If you are not up for any of the jobs on this list, it is your task to look for them and work hard to get them. It will surely be worth it. Best of luck!

If you have questions, we got answers! Join the Facebook group to get access to the lively discussions about everything you need to know as you migrate/settle in Canada. Everyone’s welcome to join!

Disclaimer: Pinoy-Canada.com is not in any way connected with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (formerly Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), nor are immigration consultants by profession or agency. Any information or news shared on this site are gathered from updates from various resources.

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/editors-pick-5-stable-jobs-canada/feed/0Ontario boosts labor laws including $15/hr minimum wage increasehttps://pinoy-canada.com/ontario-boosts-labor-laws-including-15-hr-minimum-wage-increase/
https://pinoy-canada.com/ontario-boosts-labor-laws-including-15-hr-minimum-wage-increase/#respondWed, 22 Nov 2017 23:43:36 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=16237The province of Ontario reforms the labor laws including the increase of minimum wage to $15 an hour. The changes to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, Labour Relations Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act will be on a gradual basis. The current minimum wage in Ontario is $11.60 an hour will rise under the legislation …

]]>The province of Ontario reforms the labor laws including the increase of minimum wage to $15 an hour. The changes to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, Labour Relations Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act will be on a gradual basis. The current minimum wage in Ontario is $11.60 an hour will rise under the legislation to $14 an hour on January 01, 2018 and then will increase to $15 an hour coming in 2019.

The labor reforms put in place by the Liberals also include the following requirements:

that employers pay part-time, casual and temporary employees the same rate as full-time employees for the same job;

that employers must pay workers three hours’ wages for shifts canceled with less than 48 hours’ notice; and extending personal emergency leave to 10 days, including two paid, to all workers.

The plan has proved largely popular in government polling and with labor advocates, though it is controversial with businesses, who say the increase is too fast and will lead to job losses.

The government and some economists argue that the hike will have some positive impact on the economy, as minimum wage earners get more spending power.

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/ontario-boosts-labor-laws-including-15-hr-minimum-wage-increase/feed/0Immigrant Story: Undergrad High School to Canada? No Problem!https://pinoy-canada.com/immigrant-story-undergrad-high-school-canada-no-prob/
https://pinoy-canada.com/immigrant-story-undergrad-high-school-canada-no-prob/#respondWed, 25 Oct 2017 02:38:11 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?p=15804Not everyone is lucky enough to get a college degree. Since education is one of the considerations in the Comprehensive Ranking System for Canada, a lot might have already been discouraged to even try to apply. Well, no one should be discouraged. Do not worry if you just have your High School Diploma, you will …

]]>Not everyone is lucky enough to get a college degree. Since education is one of the considerations in the Comprehensive Ranking System for Canada, a lot might have already been discouraged to even try to apply. Well, no one should be discouraged. Do not worry if you just have your High School Diploma, you will still be able to come to Canada!

Can’t believe it? Read on to know Anna’s story, a journey of a girl from Batangas to Canada.

(This is a transcription of an interview, originally in Tagalog, translated to English.)

#Jonats: Can you tell us about yourself?

Anna: I’m Anna, born and raised in Batangas, Philippines. I was once a little girl full of hope and dreams. Back in elementary, I was a consistent honor student. Unfortunately, at the of 12, my father passed away. It was a difficult time because my mother was left with 5 kids.

It couldn’t be helped. I had to drop out of school in order to help out. Sadly, our family was separated. My mother left for Manila to work as a house helper while my siblings and I had to do our own things in order to survive.

#Jonats What were the jobs you had?

Anna: I began working at the market where I earned Php30 per day from 5am-6pm. I lived off that job to pay for my food and the roof above my head.

I also tried my luck in Manila. I worked at an eatery or carinderia as an all-around helper, from dish washing to shopping at the market. There were times I did not get paid but it was fine since I still get free food.

One day, a cousin of mine called me regarding a job in Bulacan. The job was to take care of an elderly which was basically doing everything from cooking and feeding to hair cutting. I was paid Php300 per week. It wasn’t much but I considered myself lucky because I consider that as my huge break that gave me great opportunities. They gave me the chance to finish my High School education. I was a working student, half day in school and the rest of the day I was working. I remember being the oldest in the classroom because I was 15 when I started my first year in High School. Luckily, I look young for my age. HAHA

A year into the job, the elderly died. That was when I thought maybe studying is not really for me because I had to stop again.

#Jonats: Talk about tough luck. What happened next?

Anna: I went back to Batangas to look for a new job. I heard there was an opening at David’s Salon. At 17, I could not get a legitimate job yet so I had to make a strategy. I applied for the job stating an older age. It was basically misrepresentation but that is a big no-no when applying to CIC. I took the Salon’s leniency to my advantage since it was in the province, I guess. I was more than willing to be assigned anywhere so I got the job!

#Jonats Go on.

Anna: I was a trainee in the Salon for several months. I was earning Php50 per day until I became a regular employee. I thought of going back to school but with the work schedule, it was hard. Seven years later, I became a Senior Stylist in Tarlac City.

#Jonats: When did you decide to try your luck abroad?

Anna: When I became a Senior Stylist, I became more confident. I sent my application online at workabroad.com.ph. I had free internet at the salon. The first offer I received was from Dubai, Php30,000/month. That would be a huge jump from what I was earning at the Salon. Although, I was hesitant because of the things you hear that happen in the Middle East.

#Jonats: That would’ve been a good opportunity. Then, what happened?

Anna: I started to see posts on Social Media about my friends’ lives outside of the Philippines. I saw a friend’s house in Canada and it was a really nice house. That became an inspiration to me. I tried applying for a job in Canada. With beginner’s luck, I got an interview right away!

#Jonats: How did the interview go?

Anna: It was a practical interview held in Manila. They gave me 30 minutes to do a haircut in front of the panel. I actually had to find a bum in Ortigas to agree on a free random haircut. HAHA

#Jonats: What was going through your head during the interview?

Anna: I was actually confident because I have 9 years of experience in my belt. I was just worried they would ask what my college degree was. I just knew I had to be honest. No way would I commit misrepresentation again. The interview room was air conditioned but I was sweating in anxiety. I did not get the results right away but I was feeling hopeful. After a year and a half of waiting, I got my Work Permit.

#Jonats: Can you tell us your first impression of Canada?

Anna: I landed in Canada in February of 2013. It was winter time so it was really cold! I only had $200 for my pocket money. It wasn’t as different from the Philippines for me because hair is still hair! Whether it’s on a Canadian or a Pinoy, it’s still hair. HAHA

#Jonats: What were your worries back then?

Anna: I was really worried about the 4in-4out policy then. I had to become a Permanent Resident within that range. I was also worried about my credentials since I only reached first year high school. Good thing the requirements only needed certain certifications for me to get everything processed. You can only imagine how stressed I was then. I just got my Permanent Residenct status this June 2017 under the Provincial Nominee Program of Alberta. YAY!

#Jonats: Congratulations! I guess we got so excited. Can you tell us more about your experience in Canada so far?

A: Oh! I can start with my Winter Experience. Back in 2013, I was able to experience the -40C. I was waiting for the bus for an hour and all I could think about was that I would go back to the Philippines if it will always be this cold. Back then, I do not have enough money to buy proper garments for -40C. HAHA

Anna: As usual, Pinoys are naturally friendly and nice. However, I had a bad experience which I didn’t want to share initially but just for the awareness of many I decided to share it. I knew this Pinoy and he availed a loan which he needed me to be the guarantor. I was confident about the person so I agreed. To my surprise, he defaulted on his loan without notice whatsoever. I couldn’t believe he would do that here in Canada. I swear I could’ve buried him under the snow but what can I do? I just had to pay for it and now it’s over.

#Jonats: Thank you very much for sharing. Not everyone would be willing to but who/what encouraged you share your story to the community?

Anna: I have been a member of the #pinoycanada group for a while now and I have always been the silent reader. I have seen so many posts abouts their worries because they only have a High School Diploma. When Admin Jo invited me for an interview, I did not hesitate anymore because I know my experience can help others. It is true that education is a treasure and having a degree can be an advantage if you plan on applying for Canada. However, if you weren’t one of the lucky ones who were able to get the complete education, do not fret and do not get discouraged. There are opportunities out there for people with a degree and for people who without, it is just a matter of finding those opportunities and grabbing them. It starts with the question, “How to apply?” Waiting for and reading the answers is the crucial part. If you are willing to ask the question, you should be willing to take and accept the answers because a lot of people in this community have their own experiences and will be willing to help.

I salute the admins of the group and if I were to give them a rating in stars, I’ll definitely award them with 10 stars!

If you have questions, we got answers! Join the Facebook group to get access to the lively discussions about everything you need to know as you migrate/settle in Canada. Everyone’s welcome to join!

]]>https://pinoy-canada.com/immigrant-story-undergrad-high-school-canada-no-prob/feed/0Alberta Bans Hiring Foreign Workers for 29 high-skilled, High Wage jobshttps://pinoy-canada.com/alberta-bans-hiring-foreign-workers-29-high-skilled-high-wage-jobs/
Thu, 20 Apr 2017 01:12:03 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?post_type=articles&p=12058The Government of Alberta’s Employer Liaison Services, with their initiatives, helps employers learn about options for hiring Albertans and Canadians first. If the position you are looking to fill with a temporary foreign worker is included in the list of occupations below, they WILL NOT process your application. Management occupations Number Code Title 1 0112 Human …

]]>The Government of Alberta’s Employer Liaison Services, with their initiatives, helps employers learn about options for hiring Albertans and Canadians first. If the position you are looking to fill with a temporary foreign worker is included in the list of occupations below, they WILL NOT process your application.

]]>Canada Cancels deportation of Pinay at the last minutehttps://pinoy-canada.com/canada-cancels-deportation-pinay-last-minute/
Tue, 17 Jan 2017 18:51:59 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?post_type=articles&p=10738Gina Bahiwal – Filipina Activist There are many ways to work/live in Canada and grab the amazing opportunity this land offers to all but being a Temporary Foreign Worker or TFW is just one of those and 42-year-old Gina Bahiwal from Leamington, Ontario, now deemed as the “Champion of Migrant Workers”, sure took advantage of …

There are many ways to work/live in Canada and grab the amazing opportunity this land offers to all but being a Temporary Foreign Worker or TFW is just one of those and 42-year-old Gina Bahiwal from Leamington, Ontario, now deemed as the “Champion of Migrant Workers”, sure took advantage of that once in a lifetime opportunity. Gina came to Canada from the Philippines back in 2008 under the TFW Program and since then she worked as a vegetable packer, a housekeeper, and as a crew in fast food giant McDonald’s all until her work permit expired in 2015.

Now, it is known that since the federal government of Canada opened this avenue for foreigners to work in their homeland they have implemented the “4-in, 4-out” rule which allows the TFW to stay and work in Canada for only 4 years and after that requires the TFW to leave Canada for 4 years or they have the option to stay as a student or a visitor. Ever since the rule was enforced, many TFWs who have reached their 4 year limit has been “kicked out” or scheduled to be deported and one of those workers is Gina, whose work permit expired well before December of 2016 but even months before her work permits’ termination, she has been very vocal about the rule speaking up about closed work permits and the tendency for TFWs to become subjects of abuse, exploitation, and separation from their families.

All of which essentially made her to become the ‘unsung hero’ of migrant workers across the nation with appearances in a documentary called The End of Immigration, a speaking engagement about their cause on Parliament Hill and she even helped organize the J4MW Pilgrimage to Freedom in 2011 — a 50 kilometre walk from Leamington to Windsor, Ontario.

However, back in the third week of December 2016, the federal government revised its ruling on the matter and scrapped the cumulative-duration rule on Temporary Foreign Workers with Immigration Minister John McCallum saying in a news release, “In many ways, the four-year rule put a great deal of uncertainty and instability on both temporary workers and employers. We had the sense that it was an unnecessary burden on applicants and employers, and also on officers who process applications.”

Having her bags packed as she anticipates her impending deportation, Gina was supposed to be sent back to the Philippines on Sunday, January 14, 2017 until she received an email from her lawyer, Richard Wazana, explaining that her deportation order has been cancelled at the last minute because of a now rescinded rule. Instead, the Immigration Department will issue Bahiwal a one-year temporary resident permit that will allow her to stay and work in Canada while her outstanding humanitarian application for permanent residency is in process.
“I was screaming when I got the news. I was expecting to return to the Philippines on Sunday. Now I can unpack,” Gina said feeling encouraged “I don’t know how to react. It still feels like a dream to me.”
When news of Gina’s deportation broke, hundreds of people across the country wrote letters calling for it to be cancelled. Now, after word of the change of plans quickly spread, many called and texted Gina congratulating her for the victory of their cause and immediately planned a party for her in Leamington.

“This is a victory for all migrant workers. However, the fight is not over. Workers are still being deported under the old rules. They continue to face injustices in the system. We need to continue to organize and fight for justice”, said Gina, whose first priority now is to find a job as soon as she regains her legal status.

Meanwhile, join us on our growing Pinoy Migrant group in Canada. Click here

]]>#RealTalk: The Truth About the Nursing Job Markethttps://pinoy-canada.com/real-talk-the-truth-about-the-nursing-job-market/
Thu, 29 Dec 2016 21:56:14 +0000https://pinoy-canada.com/?post_type=articles&p=10070Are you a Nurse? Are you planning to move to Canada? If you answered yes to both questions, then you must read on. Ashley St. Vincent is a nurse and she opens up about her experience of being a nurse from a home country and moving to Canada. Like any other professional, she wanted to …

Are you a Nurse? Are you planning to move to Canada? If you answered yes to both questions, then you must read on.

Ashley St. Vincent is a nurse and she opens up about her experience of being a nurse from a home country and moving to Canada. Like any other professional, she wanted to be able to practice her profession in Canada. Read her story below.

Today marks 10 years that I graduated with my Baccalaureate degree in Nursing. It’s very bitter sweet. While I have been very blessed to work with amazing doctors, nurses, techs, therapists, etc. in various settings, I now live in a country that refuses to acknowledge my education or experience and will not grant me a nursing licence to practice. Let me tell you a little about myself and my situation…

I am Ashley St. Vincent and I was recently refused a nursing license in Manitoba, Canada. I graduated December 17, 2006, with a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from Northwestern State University (Shreveport, LA, USA). I wrote the NCLEX (the nursing board exam in Canada and the US) and passed it on my first attempt. I practiced for 6 years as a Circulator RN in the operating room and 2 years as a Labor & Delivery RN. I have been licensed in South Carolina, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

I moved to Ste. Anne, Manitoba, Canada (my husband’s hometown) October 4, 2013. During the transition of moving and the process of immigration, I decided to take a break from nursing and stay home with my two young daughters. I eventually obtained my permanent residency and my daughters are now dual citizens. October 8, 2015, I began the process of obtaining my nursing license in Manitoba. The first step was to apply through the NNAS ($650US/$867cdn). NNAS is an agency that verifies documents such as my transcripts, immigration documentation, etc. I received the report from NNAS in May 2016. Afterwards, I applied to the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM) ($525cdn). I was then directed to complete a CCA & OSCE ($2,200cdn). In Aug 2016, I wrote 5 exams consisting of over 125 questions each. (I should note here that I passed all 5 exams.) During the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination), I was instructed to perform/act as a nurse in a setting with a patient and scenario. I went through each step of the process to the best of my ability. After 6 weeks of waiting, I received my results which indicated that my gaps in knowledge were too significant to be corrected with a bridging program. To say I was devastated would be an understatement. I completed a bachelors degree program from a highly accredited college, practiced for 8 years and was given a patient and scenario that I was unfamiliar with. No one took into consideration my background as a registered nurse in the operating room or the labor and delivery unit. I feel that I was set up to fail. The CCA and OSCE are meant to test an internationally trained nurse on the principles that a newly graduated nurse would know. But I’m not a new graduate. I am bringing over 8 years of practice to the table.

Now I have been instructed that I need to retake an entire Bachelors in Nursing degree program if I ever want to practice as a Registered Nurse here in Canada. This is ridiculous and redundant to (re)complete a program that I have already completed. I would be completely open to completing any refresher or bridging programs.

For a Canadian trained nurse to practice in the US, as long as they have written and passed the NCLEX, they can apply via endorsement and obtain a nursing license. Why is it not the same vice versa? I have graduated with a degree. I have written and passed the NCLEX. I have practiced as an RN. I am a competent nurse who is ready and willing to work in a country that is desperate for nurses.

My main objective is to raise awareness for the push towards reciprocity between Canada and the US regarding RNs that have already written and passed the NCLEX. These RNs should be able to apply for licensure by endorsement and receive their license. Once they secure employment, the RN will be given a 3 month probation period where their competencies and skills are assessed.

All I ask is that you share this. Share it with everyone you know so that my story gets out. Help this go viral so that everyone knows how this has unfolded and how I have been refused a nursing license.

Time and effort, not to mention money, are involved when you pursue a profession. Most of the time, nurses are urged by their passion to help people. It would only be fair that when they go through the proper process and they possess the valid credentials and experience, they should be able obtain a nursing license anywhere.

Awareness is the first step to change. We hope you help spread this story and let us know what you think.